Migori County, Kenya – In recent years, mental health awareness has been on the rise in Kenya, particularly among Generation Z and Millennials. While these demographic groups are more open to seeking treatment and support for mental health issues, Generation X and the elderly in Kenya still struggle to access mental health assistance. Despite their reluctance to seek help, many in these age groups are silently battling mental health conditions, with one in four Kenyans seeking primary healthcare dealing with a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization.
In October 2024, Kenya launched its first Mental Health Clinical Guidelines, emphasizing the importance of mental health literacy among primary caregivers and in schools to ensure early diagnosis and proper treatment. To shed light on the mental health challenges faced by the elderly, a reporter from Wananchi Reporting visited Migori County and met Odiwuor Okeyo, a man who found a unique way to support his aging family members through animal therapy without them even realizing it.
For Okeyo, mental health struggles in his family are deeply rooted in a history of loss. His family has faced unimaginable grief, with no son or grandson from his grandfather’s lineage celebrating their 40th birthday. Growing up in this environment took an emotional toll on Okeyo and his cousins, who were raised by their grieving mothers and aging grandparents after losing their fathers at a young age.
Seeking ways to ease the emotional pain and improve his family’s mental well-being, Okeyo discovered animal therapy in 2017. Starting small with ten goats, Okeyo now has a home filled with goats and sheep, providing emotional relief and a sense of purpose to his aging family members. The animals bring joy and activity to Okeyo’s mother, who spends time caring for them and finds solace in their presence.
What initially began as a mental health intervention has evolved into a thriving business for Okeyo, although he emphasizes that the emotional value it brought to his family outweighs any financial gain. Advocating for animal therapy as an alternative mental health solution, Okeyo encourages those struggling with grief and loss to consider the healing power of caring for animals. As mental health awareness continues to grow in Kenya, stories like Okeyo’s serve as a reminder of the importance of exploring unique healing methods for mental well-being across all age groups.